Photo: Dwight Burdette · CC BY 3.0South Lyon spent less per resident in 2022 than 98% of similar cities
South Lyon’s city government spent $13.3 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $1,125 per resident.
What stands out about how South Lyon is run
Read from the city’s budget and official records.
$1,125 per resident in 2022: less than 98% of them
South Lyon’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($1,125 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 44 Michigan cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools: the median was $1,901, and the middle half spent $1,439–$2,467. South Lyon spent less than 98% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($4.5 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Michigan cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; South Lyon itself left out).
About $1,125 per resident a year, or $3.08 a day
Day-to-day services only. The biggest line: sewer & trash, at 34%.
Thank you for being a neighbor
No trend yet
South Lyon reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau, so there is no trend yet.
The typical homeowner pays $4,044 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 1.37% of the home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at South Lyon’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to South Lyon’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in South Lyon →
Who’s in charge in South Lyon
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
South Lyon’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The city posts agendas and minutes on southlyonmi.org ↗.
One full-time city employee for every 269 residents
On the payroll in March 2022, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll. Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (11,846).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2022
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
South Lyon Community Schools
South Lyon’s K–12 school district, shared with Lyon Township, Salem Township, Northfield Township, Green Oak Township. It’s its own government, with a budget separate from the town’s.
Of the $14,023 per pupil, $8,633 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Michigan districts overall: 34% local, 57% state, 9% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How South Lyon voted in 2024
Official results for South Lyon’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Donald J TrumpRepublican51.4%3,947 votes
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat47.4%3,644 votesOthers: 1.2% (94 votes).
Most votes in South Lyon: Donald J Trump
Oakland County: Harris 54.3%, Trump 43.7% · Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%
of South Lyon’s 9,048 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Michigan: 74%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Mike RogersRepublican49.3%
Elissa SlotkinDemocrat48.5%Most votes in South Lyon: Mike Rogers
Oakland County: Slotkin 54.8%, Rogers 42.7% · Michigan: Slotkin 48.6%, Rogers 48.3%
Most votes in the district: Tom Barrett
Whole-district result
President, 2024: South Lyon, its county and the state
| Trump | Harris | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Lyon | 51.4% | 47.4% | 1.2% | 7,685 |
| Oakland County | 43.7% | 54.3% | 1.9% | 772,145 |
| Michigan | 49.7% | 48.3% | 2.0% | 5,664,186 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017; Elissa Slotkin: U.S. House portrait (congress-legislators project); Mike Rogers: U.S. House portrait (congress-legislators project). All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for South Lyon.
- 1Your cityMayor & councilOfficials: southlyonmi.org ↗
- 2Michigan HouseState representatives
- 3Michigan SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Michigan
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How South Lyon compares with the towns next door
South Lyon spent $1,125 per resident in 2022. Most of its neighbors are townships, a different kind of government, so the like-for-like comparison is with similar cities, above. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Green Oak Township | $577 | $4,022 |
| Lyon Township | $655 | $5,381 |
| South Lyon | $1,125 | $4,044 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach South Lyon’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about South Lyon’s government
How much does South Lyon spend per resident?
About $1,125 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $1,125 was less than 98% of 44 Michigan cities of 10,000–24,999 that don’t run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in South Lyon?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $4,044 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 1.37% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.25% across Michigan. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see southlyonmi.org.
Who runs South Lyon’s government?
See southlyonmi.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for South Lyon yet.
How did South Lyon vote in 2024?
For president, Donald J Trump 51.4%, Kamala D Harris 47.4% (7,685 votes, official results). Oakland County: Harris 54.3%, Trump 43.7%. Michigan: Trump 49.7%, Harris 48.3%.
How many people work for South Lyon?
44 full-time and 36 part-time employees in March 2022, with a March payroll of $313,862 (about $3.8M a year if every month were the same), as reported to the Census Bureau.
Who represents South Lyon in the state legislature?
State Senate District 23 (Jim Runestad) and State House District 23 (Jason Morgan). The House district also covers seven other towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about South Lyon’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →